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well it was time for an upgrade!! (1 Viewer)

reef junkie

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
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Location
White Bear Lake
Maplewood Petco had this 14 gallon Bio cube for a year and a half, missing parts. I kept asking for a deal on it and the answer was always no. Well last week it finally went on clearance, And I then decided to not get it and go another way.

Before the upgrade. 3 gallon JBJ pico. Twin pc bulbs.
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Now for the build. Its a 6.6 gallon, 24'l'ong, 9''tall, 8'' deep. As for the stand. I wanted to find an old cool looking table, Walked into goodwill thinking they have to have something. There sat a 20 long aquarium stand for the big price of $14.99. Cant beat that.
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And the pile of wood to make the 6.6 fit. All left overs from previous builds.
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The tank right out of the box.
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Now 2 coats of Bin primer(stinky) and 2 coats of dark brown paint. A little trim and in top piece of wood so the tank didn't fall in the hole.
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After adding all live stock from 3 gallon
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Now I added all my live stock from my 3 gallon. Added a few more pieces of rock from the 100lbs I have laying around from my old 90 gallon. That has been acid washed and dried for 3 years. Hope I dont get to big of a spike.
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Forgot to mention, using a glow twin bulb. 1 blue, 1 white t5 light and 1 Hydor nano pump. And the filter that came with the tank to run carbon and add flow to the other side of the tank. And a Ac jr controller.

Only thing left is to cover the back of the tank to hide wires, Thinking of using mirrors. I have a bunch of acrylic with mirroring on one side. See any reason why this would be a bad idea? Also try and find a way to retro fit my 4 blue leds for moon lights into the glo light.

Let me know what you think. :biggthumpup:
 
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Only thing left is to cover the back of the tank to hide wires, Thinking of using mirrors. I have a bunch of acrylic with mirroring on one side. See any reason why this would be a bad idea?

Some fish may get territorial when they see their reflection. I've seen Beta Fish do this, but not sure with specific saltwater fish. In a 6.6g tank, you might have room for a tiny nano fish.
 
Some fish may get territorial when they see their reflection. I've seen Beta Fish do this, but not sure with specific saltwater fish. In a 6.6g tank, you might have room for a tiny nano fish.

Thanks. Not sure if I'm gonna even do any fish. But I will keep a close eye on it if I do.

Retroed some feet for the light. Raised it up about 2''. Now I feel better about any heat issues. Now time to wait and see how the cycle goes so I can cram it full of corals.

Also added the old hang on back to the system for some more added carbon, I will only use one in the end. Just trying to do the most I can to keep the water clean.
 
Dude, I love it. Looks great. I was going to ask what you are going to do for fish but it sounds like perhaps nothing. Probably a smart thing for maintaining low nutrients.
 
Thanks everyone. I'm excited to stock this thing. For live stock i would like to do a small nemo, But I really want a anemone crab, and then something unique and different. But also things that help maintain the tank. I'm open to ideas if you have any!
 
I have almost bought that tank so many times....

As for the mirrored acrylic. I was told that it is actually ferous, and therefore can rust due to the salt. Not sure that is true but you should probably test it before you go through the troubles.
 
I have almost bought that tank so many times....

As for the mirrored acrylic. I was told that it is actually ferous, and therefore can rust due to the salt. Not sure that is true but you should probably test it before you go through the troubles.


They had more. lol. This is a great little tank, but it sure scratches easily. So for anyone thinking about doing this tank be warned. I knew that going into it from the research I did before buying it.

I can see that happening to regular mirrors. But not sure on the acrylic. Ill have to see what happens.
 
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Now that I have a t5 light, I really want a clam in this tank, Im thinkinf a frag of sps might be a good thing to try first. What is a good hardy sps to start with?
 
wow i had the same question :p I'm really liking your tank though ^^ hope that's what my 10g will eventually look like. I agree on the fact of getting something unique. How bout an arrow crab, not sure how they do in a 6.6g
 
wow i had the same question :p I'm really liking your tank though ^^ hope that's what my 10g will eventually look like. I agree on the fact of getting something unique. How bout an arrow crab, not sure how they do in a 6.6g

Would be cool, but not reef safe. Sounds like they like to eat corals and small fish. Nice idea though.
 
Picked up a porcelain crab from the Roseville petco tonight, Early b-day present for myself (the best kind). Have to get some picks if he ever comes out of hiding. Also added a background. tanks looking nice, Corals really seem to like the new light, Have really opened up nicely.
 
Family took me to the best fish store ever today to buy me a b-day present. Here's what they picked.
Gotta have Nemo. Just 1 fish. But he liked his picture taken.
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Also a goby. Hard to get a picture of
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Cinnamon Paly
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Few snails
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Fts with light modified with legs and new background
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This tank is shaping up really nicely.
Love how its coming together
 

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